The State Department on Tuesday declared that its determination that “since at least March 2017,” China has committed “atrocities” against the Uighur people of Xinjiang province. Specifically, “ongoing” “genocide” and “other crimes against humanity.” Drawing a sharp, historic line between the post-Second World War Nuremberg trials of senior Nazi officials, the State Department said that “the same crimes are being committed in Xinjiang, today.”
The State Department notes that China’s abuse has included deprivation of liberty, forced sterilization, torture, forced labor, draconian restrictions on freedom of speech, religion, and movement.
Some will portray this announcement as a parting shot from Pompeo to his Beijing nemesis. That is true to a degree. But it is a shot manifestly justified both by the evidence and by basic moral imperative. What China has done, and is doing, to the Uighurs is a disgrace that defines the Communist Party. The fact that in the 21st century a prospective superpower is treating its own citizens in this manner is a warning to us all. So what does this mean going forward?
Obviously, the Trump administration will transfer power to President-elect Joe Biden and his team on Wednesday. Still, the Biden administration was given forewarning of this announcement and has previously condemned China’s treatment of the Uighurs in strong terms. Perhaps Secretary of State Tony Blinken will keep up the pressure. That said, it must be noted that the Biden administration is flirting with some measure of rapprochement with Beijing. China has already put significant public and private pressure on Biden’s team to take a softer line. But this announcement will make it harder for lobbyists such as Mercury Public Affairs and Barbara Boxer to be complicit in this terrible oppression.
What of the rest of the world?
A senior State Department official said that they hope the announcement serves to “make a statement that will move other countries.” Considering the European Union’s fetish for Chinese investment, I doubt its leaders will find the strategic courage to match this declaration. But this will give momentum to EU parliamentarians like Raphael Glucksmann to take inspiration to hold China to account.
One final point. As a State Department official aptly noted, the Uighur disgrace is just one example of a regime that is “flagrantly flouting norms and international commitments.” Put simply, the Chinese Communist Party cannot be trusted on carbon emissions or any other issue. It is an adversary of its own people and the world.
